The Irish government is being urged to build bridges with US President-elect, Donald Trump, and invite him to make an official state visit to Ireland.

The call came from a Doonbeg born businessman, Michael O’Doherty, a close friend of Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley.

The new President-elect employs 300 people at his Trump International hotel and golf course in the picturesque west Clare village of Doonbeg.

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Mr. O'Doherty said the Irish government should roll out the red carpet for President-elect Trump the same way they did for President Biden in 2023.

"Irish politicians need to change their attitude to Donald Trump - they need to work with him not knock him. He should be invited here on an official state visit just like Joe Biden was. There would be no tourists or jobs in Doonbeg in west Clare only for Donald Trump.

"It is time that we as a country gave him some credit for what he has done here. We also need to protect as many jobs with American multinationals as we can," added Mr. O'Doherty.

Then President Trump made a flying visit to Co. Clare in 2019. He had a meeting with then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Shannon Airport and played a game of golf at his links course.

At the time, some politicians complained about the €10 million it cost to provide security for President Trump's 48 hours visit.

One of the President-elect's sons, Don Jnr, is a regular visitor to Doonbeg and is said to be well liked by the locals . The Trump family bought the Clare hotel and golf course for €34 million in 2014.

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